Skip to main content

Effect of the Thermal Environment on Neonatal Mortality and Morbidity: State of the Evidence

  • Conference paper
Thermoregulation of Sick and Low Birth Weight Neonates

Abstract

Warmth, as well as food and adequate oxygen, is a fundamental need of the newborn infant. Although this may seem self-evident, it is only within the last 35 years that evidence concerning the precise thermal requirements of babies has been obtained.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Sinclair JC (1975) The effect of the thermal environment on neonatal mortality and morbidity. In: Preventability of Perinatal Injury, Ed. K. Adamsons and H.A. Fox, Alan R., Liss, Inc. New York

    Google Scholar 

  2. Sinclair JC (1992) Management of the thermal environment. In Effective Care of the Newborn Infant. eds. JC Sinclair, MB Bracken, Oxford University Press, Oxford, Chapter 4, pp 40–58.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Silverman WA, Sinclair JC, Agate FJ. (1966) The oxygen cost of minor changes in heat balance of small newborn infants. Acta Paediatr Scand; 55:294–300.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Baumgart S (1985) Partitioning of heat losses and gains in premature newborn infants under radiant warmers. Pediatrics; 75:89–99.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Gandy GM, Adamsons K Jr, Cunningham N, Silverman WA, James LS (1964) Thermal environment and acid-base homeostasis in human infants during the first few hours of life. J Clin Invest; 43:751–758.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Miller DL, Oliver TK (1966) Body temperature in the immediate neonatal period: The effect of reducing thermal losses. Am J Obstet Gynecol; 94:964–969.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Baum JD, Scopes JW (1968) The silver swaddler; device for preventing hypothermia in the newborn. Lancet; 1:672–673.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Stephenson JM, Du JN, Oliver TK (1970) The effect of cooling on blood gas tensions in newborn infants. J Pediatr; 76:848–852.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Besch NJ, Perlstein PH, Edwards NK, Keenan WJ, Sutherland JM (1971) The transparent baby bag. A shield against heat loss. New Engl J Med; 284:121–124.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Dahm LS, James LS (1972) Newborn temperature and calculated heat loss in the delivery room. Pediatrics; 49:504–513.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Hobbs JF, MacKuanying N, Eidelman AI, Schneider KM (1975) A new transparent insulating infant gown to maintain thermal stability. Pediatr Res; 9:366.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Omene JA, Diejomaoh FME, Faal M, Diakparomre MA, Obiaya M (1979) Heat loss in Nigerian newborn infants in the delivery room. Int J Gynaecol Obstet; 16:300–302.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Chaput De Saintonge DM, Cross KW, Hathorn MK, Newis SR, Stothers JK (1979) Hats for the newborn infant. Br Med J; 2:570–571.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Fardig JA (1980) A comparison of skin-to-skin contact and radiant heaters in promoting neonatal thermoregulation. J Nurse-Midwifery; 25:19–28.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Holzman IR (1985) A method to maintain infant temperature. Am J Dis Child; 139:3990–392.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Greer PS (1988) Head coverings for newborns under radiant warmers. J Obstet Gynecol Neo Nurs; 4:265–271.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Johanson RB, Spencer SA, Rolfe P, Jones P, Malla DS (1992) Effect of post-delivery care on neonatal body temperature. Acta Paediatr; 81:859–863.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Sarman I, Tunell R (1989) Providing warmth for preterm babies by a heated, water filled mattress. Arch Dis Child; 64:29–33.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Sarman I, Tunell R (1989) Rewarming preterm babies by a heated, water filled mattress. Arch Dis Child; 64:687–92.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Silverman WA, Blanc WA (1957) The effect of humidity on survival of newly born premature infants. Pediatrics; 20:477–87.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Silverman WA, Agate FJ, Fertig JW (1963) A sequential trial of the nonthermal effect of atmospheric humidity on survival of newborn infants of low birth weight. Pediatrics; 31:719–724.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Silverman WA, Fertig JW, Berger AP (1958) The influence of the thermal environment upon the survival of newly born premature infants. Pediatrics; 22:876–886.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Jolly H, Molyneux P, Newell DJ (1962) A controlled study of the effect of temperature on premature babies. J Pediatr; 60:889–894.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Day RL, Caliguiri L, Kamenski C, Ehrlich F (1964) Body temperature and survival of premature infants. Pediatrics; 34:171–181.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Buetow KC, Klein SW (1964) Effect of maintenance of “normal” skin temperature on survival of infants of low birth weight. Pediatrics; 34:163–170.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Soll RF, McQueen MC (1992) Respiratory distress syndrome. In Effective Care of the Newborn Infant, ed. JC Sinclair, MB Bracken, Oxford University Press, Oxford, Chapter 15, pp 325–358.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Rohrer MJ, Natale AM (1992) Effect of hypothermia on the coagulation cascade. Crit Care Med; 20:1402–1405.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Bell EF, Neidich GA, Cashore WJ, Oh W (1979) Combined effect of radiant warmer and phototherapy on insensible water loss in low-birth-weight infants. J Pediatr; 94:810–813.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Bell EF, Weinstein MR, Oh W (1980) Heat balance in premature infants: Comparative effects of convectively heated incubator and radiant warmer, with and without plastic heat shield. J Pediatr; 96:460–465.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Marks KH, Gunther RC, Rossi JA, Maiseis MJ (1980) Oxygen consumption and insensible water loss in premature infants under radiant heaters. Pediatrics; 66:228–232.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Darnall RA, Ariagno RL (1978) Minimal oxygen consumption in infants cared for under overhead radiant warmers compared with conventional incubators. J Pediatr; 93:283–287.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. LeBlanc MH (1982) Relative efficacy of an incubator and an open warmer in producing thermoneutrality for the small premature infant. Pediatrics; 69:439–445.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Marks KH, Nardis EE, Momin MN (1986) Energy metabolism and substrate utilization in low birth weight neonates under radiant warmers. Pediatrics; 78:465–472.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Nierenstein GB, Koziol DF, Brown GL, Weisman LE (1979) Radiant warmers vs incubators for neonatal care. Am J Dis Child; 133:857–858.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Baumgart S, Fox WW, Polin RA (1982) Physiologic implications of two different heat shields for infants under radiant warmers. J Pediatr; 100:787–790.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Baumgart S, Engle WD, Fox WW, Polin RA (1981) Effect of heat shielding on convective and evaporative heat losses and on radiant heat transfer in the premature infant. J Pediatr; 99:948–956.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Hey EN, Katz G (1969) Evaporative water loss in the newborn baby. J Physiol; 200:605–619.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Sauer PJJ, Dane JH, Visser HKA (1998) Influence of variations in the ambient humidity on insensible water loss and thermoneutral environment of low birth weight infants. Acta Paediatr Scand; 73:615–619.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Darnall RA, Ariagno RL (1979) Resting oxygen consumption of premature infants covered with a plastic thermal blanket. Pediatrics; 63:547–551.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Glass L, Silverman WA, Sinclair JC (1968) Effect of the thermal environment on cold resistance and growth of small infants after the first week of life. Pediatrics; 41:1034–1046.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Glass L, Silverman WA, Sinclair JC (1969) Relationship of thermal environment and caloric intake to growth and resting metabolism in the late neonatal period. Biol Neonat; 14:324–340.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Whitelaw A, Heisterkamp G, Sleath K, Acolet D, Richards M (1988) Skin to skin contact for very low birthweight infants and their mothers. Arch Dis Child; 63:1377–1381.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Christensson K, Siles C, Moreno L, Belaustequi A, De La Fuente P, Lagercrantz H, Puyol P, Winberg J (1992) Temperature, metabolic adaptation and crying in healthy full-term newborns cared for skin-to-skin or in a cot. Acta Paediatr; 81:488–493.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Christensson K (1994) Fathers are as effective as incubators for babies born by Caesarean section. Appendix IV in Christensson K. Care of the Newborn Infant. Satisfying the need for comfort and energy conservation, doctoral thesis, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Sarman I, Can G, Tunnell R (1989) Rewarming preterm infants on heated, water filled mattress. Arch Dis Child; 64:687–692.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Tafari N, Gentz J (1974) Aspects on rewarming newborn infants with severe accidental hypothermia. Acta Paediatr Scand; 63:595–600.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1995 Springer-Verlag Berlin

About this paper

Cite this paper

Sinclair, J.C. (1995). Effect of the Thermal Environment on Neonatal Mortality and Morbidity: State of the Evidence. In: Okken, A., Koch, J. (eds) Thermoregulation of Sick and Low Birth Weight Neonates. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-79934-1_11

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-79934-1_11

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-79936-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-79934-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics